Harris however, is not expected to appear in Iowa for the endorsement announcement.

But her endorsement of DeJear was not unexpected.

Harris’ out-of-California endorsements this year have focused on non-white candidates, including Stacey Abrams in Georgia and Jahana Hayes in Connecticut.

DeJear is Iowa’s first black nominee for statewide office from a major political party.

When DeJear won her primary election in June, Harris tweeted: “Congratulations to @DeidreDeJear on being the first black nominee for statewide office in Iowa! Black women have voted at a higher rate than other groups, yet are continually underrepresented in elected office. In 2018, we have a chance to buck that trend.”

DeJear, a businesswoman who worked on former President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign in Iowa in 2012, replied with a tweet calling Harris “a phenomenal role model to us all!” (IANS)